PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Eddie Faulkner could have taken the credit. The interim offensive coordinator could have patted himself on the back for his performance. What he did was thank those around him.
Sure, he changed some things up, including scheduling of meetings and allowing more to be involved. He brought an energy that the players on offense have appreciated. What seems to be different is how much input Faulkner is taking. The staff hasn't changed around him, but all have a bigger voice now.
"I can't do it my myself," Faulkner said Thursday. "No individual can do it by themselves. I see all these great coaches on staff, so why wouldn't we absolutely use their skill sets to the best of our ability. We did that last week and it's only intensified this week."
Saying it's all of them, Faulkner singled out the play-calling from quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan. He said Sully called a 'great' game against Cincinnati. Faulkner said he made a few suggestions, but it was about what Sullivan called as to why it worked.
Then he pointing to success in the run game and the job offensive line coach Pat Meyer did in helping coordinate that part of the offense. Faulkner said Meyer is 'the real deal technically and schematically'. A lot of what we saw is a credit to him.
"He's that good of a coach, the players trust him," Faulkner said. "When he gives them information, they trust him and go do it."
You have to think the three tight end look or at least some of the plays associated with it, had to be influenced by tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts. Receivers coach Frisman Jackson, assistant QB coach David Corley, Isaac Williams (asst. OL coach) and Glenn Thomas-an offensive assistant with several offensive coordinator jobs in college including Baylor and Arizona State all played a part.
"It's hard to start mentioning guys names because I feel like that about so many people on staff," Faulkner said. "That's not fake, that's real. I think as we continue to empower people, that's going to bring the group closer together. Keep the group on the trajectory we want to be."
That has led to more clarity with players on offense and in their position rooms. Which in turn allows them to have better control of the details you hear coaches discuss all the time. All of it contributes to the willingness Faulkner saw for all to put their hands in the pile.
"I think they responded well," Faulkner said of the players to the changes. "I've only gotten positive feedback. I think they like how we went about things last week, so we just continue to fine tune and see how much better we can get with it."
They appear to be on the same page with the message from the coaching staff and are all-in on understanding. He said it's allowed him to 'sink the hook in' and get the guys to buy-in. That has made it easier to prepare for this week, which in turn should make it easier with a short week hosting New England on December 7.
"We just keep on hammering away," Faulkner said.
